SQL Server 2016 In-Memory and ColumnStore Enhancements

SQL Server 2016, available for preview, includes significant In-Memory Online Transactional Processing (OLTP) and ColumnStore technology enhancements that will enable their use in a broader range of applications. In-Memory OLTP supports larger sizes and key database engine features that previously restricted the use of in-memory tables. Tables using nonclustered ColumnStore indexes are updatable, removing the read-only constraint of previous versions and enabling real-time updates and analysis of data warehouses. Additionally, nonclustered ColumnStore indexes can be combined with In-Memory OLTP tables, providing access to real-time analytics on transactional tables. Leveraging the new features may require OS upgrades and new hardware.

In-Memory OLTP Tables Mature

Updates to In-Memory OLTP technology increase its potential use in more applications and simplify management and migration of tables to in-memory tables.

In-Memory OLTP Overview

In-Memory OLTP technology uses memory-optimized tables, natively compiled stored procedures, and other database technologies to substantially improve transactional performance by taking advantage of large memory and multicore processors. The tables are well suited for workloads that need high throughput and low latency, such as online retail transactions and capital market trade orders.